Azlan Othman
Traditional Malay customs and culture should not fade away to modernisation and practitioners should make use of the social media to lure the younger generation to be fond of language, literature and culture.
This was said by Malaysia’s Fellow Senior Researcher at Institut Alam dan Tamadun Melayu (ATMA) of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Associated Professor Dato’ Paduka Dr Mohd Rosli bin Saludin in deliberating a virtual International Malay Language, Literature and Culture Congress Series (KABSBM) yesterday. The series covered topics on the Teromba customs used in the Malay community, which are merisik (when a man’s family pay a friendly visit to a woman’s family whom they have identified as a potential bride); meminang (ask for hand in marriage); bertunang (engagement) and berkahwin (marriage).
Teromba customs are verbal communications and a collection of words and customs crucial in the traditional Malay community, where poetry and proverb are used to show courtesy in communicating and reproaching.
Associate Professor Dato’ Paduka Dr Mohd Rosli said the use of social media is significant for language, literature and cultural practitioners, who hold the responsibility to instil them in the younger generation.
“A lengthy Malay wedding tradition is shortened and has become a thing of the past. Malay poetry to accompany marriage proposals or a merisik ceremony should not be left behind. They also can be used when conversing casually,” he said.
The virtual congress, chaired by Acting Director of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Haji Mohd Abdoh bin Haji Awang Damit, also highlighted literature aspect titled Lubuk Akal Lautan Budi Teromba Dalam Adat Perkahwinan Melayu.
It was organised by the Malay Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) to mark the Language Month.
Over 140 participated in the congress including Permanent Secretary (Strategy and Policy Management) at the MCYS Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the MCYS Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah, DBP Acting Deputy Director Hajah Sariani binti Haji Ishak, foreign and local speakers, DBP strategic partners, government officials and language and literature enthusiasts.
DBP strategic partners included Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB), Brunei Youth Council (BYC), Asterawani Brunei and Putra Seni Group (KPS).
The KABSBM started on March 16 and will conclude on June 22. Local and foreign language, literature and culture experts convene twice a week for the congress.
